When
Africa Travel Magazine's editors paid their second
visit to Kenya in the last two years, they became
acquainted with the Alliance Hotels Group and will
be writing about this fine selection of resort
hotels and lodges in our next three issues. For
starters, here
is a brief introduction from the Alliance Web Site
- www.alliancehotels.com

The
Alliance Hotels and Resorts Group comprises four
hotels, three at a wonderful location on Diani
Beach at the South Coast; the four-star plus
Alliance Safari Beach, the four-star Alliance
Jadini Beach and the three-star plus Alliance
Africana Sea Lodge, and the Alliance Naro Moru
River Lodge facing Mt. Kenya.

History

Alliance
has been in the Kenyan hotel industry since 1970
and is part of Kenyan history through its
association with the Alliance Jadini Hotel which
was established in the 1930's by the Trench family
who selected, the site for their hotel as the
finest in Kenya.

Alliance
Hotels &endash; South Coast properties are situated
on the glittering silver beach of Diani which
stretches for 17km along the Indian Ocean on the
South Coast of Mombasa. The coast is shaded by
whispering palms to form one of the world's truly
great holiday playgrounds. This coast line borders
the famous Shimba Hills National Park which is a
mere 16km from the Indian Ocean. The Alliance Beach
Hotels are situated on stunning beaches and spread
over 70 hectares of land. All the hotels exude an
authentic African feel. The facilities offered in
the hotels are of world class standards. Our
mountain lodge is situated at the foothills of the
Mount Kenya and is the original base for climbing
Mount Kenya.

The
Beach Hotels

This
seamless blend is reflected in the architecture and
ambiance of all of the South Coast hotels which all
exhibit an authentic African feel while each
expresses it in a different style.

Once
part of the ocean during the Mesozoic era, the
grounds of the hotel are situated on what was an
elaborate maze of tunnels and caves under dense
forest. To fill up the tunnels and caves was one of
the biggest challenges faced by the creators of
this paradise.

The
buildings are today set amongst magnificent
tropical gardens which feature a variety of palm
and other indigenous trees, not least of which is
the renowned "Mwarobaine" (neem tree) which dots
the garden liberally. The facilities offered at the
hotels are world class standard, also the cuisine
and the rooms and the wide range of activities that
the visitor can indulge in. Because of the large
land space there is none of the cramped feeling
that accompanies many hotel holidays and the
feeling of spaciousness is enhanced by the style of
the architecture of the hotels and the fact that
guests are free to use the facilities of all these
hotels interchangeably.

Alliance
Hotels on Top of Africa

The
ride from Nairobi to Naro Moru of two and a half
hours is very pleasant at any time of the year, a
series of climbing hills with fields of coffee,
pineapples and passion fruit, and plots of food
crops interspersed with vistas of scrubland and
valleys of sparkling rivers leading up to the heart
of Kikuyu land which is Mt. Kenya.

Alliance
Naro Moru River Lodge is an oasis of green
tranquility in sharp contrast to the dry aridity of
the surrounding landscape. The lodge itself, which
was originally a farm house and was taken over by
Alliance in 1978 and established as a hotel, is
surrounded by the serene waters of the Naro Moru
River which flows through the hotel grounds and
where one may fish in total peace yet within
calling distance of the bar. As in all Alliance
Hotels and Resorts, a special atmosphere pervades
the lodge and nowhere is it better exemplified than
in the bar. Scores of T-shirts testify to the
myriad expeditions, which have used the lodge as
the starting point for their ascent of Mt. Kenya.
Mackinder's camp, at 14,000 ft with 60 beds and
running water is the mountain outpost of the hotel,
which provides half way accommodation for
mountaineers and was built in 1984.

We
have 100s
of photos
from ATA's 30th World Congress and tours, plus
photo stories of world famous athletes such as Dr.
Kipchoge Keino, head of Kenya's National Olympic
Committee. Much more from interviews with Tourism
Ministry and KTB officials, Kenya Airways CEO,
African Airlines Assn, Kenya Chamber of Commerce,
Kenya Tour Operators Assn, East Africa Wildlife
Society, East African Auto Rally, Mombasa &
Coast Tourist Assn, plus hoteliers, agents,
embassies and tour operators.
Kenyans will
star in our next 3 issues thanks to these great
interviews. Asante Sana. Details
.

Quick
now!How
many destinations are there
in Africa? Answer: More than 50 countries dot the
map of Africa and nearby islands, and all are
anxious to attract trade and tourism revenues.
That's why until now Africa Travel Magazine, voice
of the Africa Travel Association, has published
special editions featuring ATA host countries.
Watch for profiles and articles on 22 ATA
host